Susser Bank Hires Orlean for Senior Relationship Management Role

Dallas-based Susser Bank announced that Greg R. Orlean has joined the company as senior vice president/relationship manager, bringing more than 19 years of banking expertise, specializing in commercial lending and business solutions. Orlean previously served as senior vice president in business banking at Capital One Bank and has held key roles at established institutions, including Origin … Read more

Texas Gulf Bank Hires McKnight for Wealth Management, Neyland for Commercial Lending

Houston-based Texas Gulf Bank NA recently hired two executives. Winston McKnight has joined the bank as executive vice president/head of wealth management. He will work out of the bank’s Voss location. With a career spanning 30 years, his areas of expertise include wealth management services, business development and asset management. Prior to joining Texas Gulf … Read more

Texas Regional Bank Welcomes Gervais as Wealth Management Advisor

Harlingen-based Texas Regional Bank has hired Woodmir Gervais to serve as vice president and wealth management advisor. He has more than 15 years of financial services experience and a distinguished career in corporate banking and military service. Gervais’s career trajectory has led him through prominent roles with major financial institutions, working across retail, business and … Read more

First Financial Bankshares and First Financial Bank Announce Executive Promotions

On November 20, the board of Abilene-based First Financial Bankshares Inc. announced promotions for First Financial Bankshares and First Financial Bank. These promotions—part of the company’s ongoing management succession plan the board has been working on for several years—will be effective January 1, 2025. Ron Butler II was promoted to vice chair of the executive … Read more

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Names Bongiovanni Vice President Over Regional Banking Organizations

The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas has named Jeff Bongiovanni vice president with responsibility for overseeing the regional bank supervision team. In his new role, he takes over a group responsible for a growing portfolio of 11th District state member banks and bank holding companies with assets between $10 billion and $100 billion. Bongiovanni joined the … Read more

Kavanaugh Retires as CEO of First Foundation Inc., Shafer Named as Successor

On November 22, Dallas-based First Foundation Inc., the parent company of Irvine, California-based First Foundation Bank, announced the appointment of Thomas C. Shafer as chief executive officer. His appointment follows the retirement of Scott F. Kavanaugh, who has served as CEO since 2009 and as a member of the board of directors since 2007. Shafer … Read more

PlainsCapital Bank Welcomes Vernaza to Houston Lending Team

Dallas-based PlainsCapital Bank has hired Jorge Vernaza to serve as senior vice president/senior commercial loan officer on its Houston lending team. He will be based at the bank’s Richmond Ave. location. Vernaza has a strong background in both commercial real estate and commercial and industrial, with former clients across various sectors and sub-sectors of the … Read more

Mercer Hired as Senior Vice President/Director of Compliance at Dallas Capital Bank

Clark Mercer has joined Dallas Capital Bank as senior vice president/director of compliance. He brings more than 32 years of banking experience with 22 years in compliance and risk management to his new role. He will be responsible for developing, implementing and administering all aspects of the bank’s compliance management program, including its BSA/AML program. … Read more

Brooks Joins Bank of Texas’ San Antonio Corporate Banking Team

Fort Worth-based Bank of Texas has welcomed Addyson Brooks to its San Antonio corporate banking team to serve as vice president. She brings more than seven years of experience in portfolio management and financial analysis to her new role. Prior to joining Bank of Texas, Brooks served as vice president/commercial and corporate banking at Amegy … Read more

Louisiana-based b1BANK Names Vascocu Bank President

On October 17, Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based b1BANK announced that N. Jerome “Jerry” Vascocu Jr. will be the bank’s new president, reporting to Jude Melville, who will retain the title of chair and CEO. b1BANK currently operates 18 banking offices in Texas. Vascocu, who joined b1BANK in 2022 as chief administrative officer, oversees the coordination of … Read more